Train order delivering device



May 29, 1945 A. J. PlEszAK ETAL l 2,377,264

TRAIN ORDER DELIVERING DEVICE Filed March 8, 1943 'lll/[111111111111ATTCIRNEYS Patented May 29, 1945 TRAIN ORDER DELIVERIN G DEVICE AnthonyJ. Pieszak and Edward M. Mulcahy, v Dunkirk, N. Y. I

y Application March 8, 1943, Serial No. 478,398

(Cl. 25823l 1 Claim".

This invention relates to train order delivery devices, and its generalobject is to provide a device by which orders and messages can beconveniently transferred from a station platform to a member of the crewon a fast moving train with safety and surety in the delivery.

A further object is to provide a train order delivery device thatincludes forked means for detachably holding a flexible element, such asa cord in the form of a loop for attachment of an order thereto, and theloop is positioned in a manner to readily permit a member of the crew onthe train to conveniently slip his arm therethrough for removal thereoffrom the fork, thus bringing about a successful transfer of the orderwithout injury to the receiver.

A further object is to provide a device of this character, in which thefork is detachable and means is. likewise provided for supporting thefork when detached, in an upright position, in order to facilitateattaching the cord thereto.

This invention also consists in certain other features of constructionand in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to behereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing andspecifically pointed out in the appended claim.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to theaccompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figurel is a side elevation of the device which forms the'subject matterof the present invention and illustrates the same in use, with a messageattached to the loop.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 3--3 of Figure1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 4--4 of Figure2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 5-5 of Figure2.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a block to be used for supporting thefork when the latter is detached.

Referring to the drawing in detail, it will be.

noted that we have illustrated one of the devices as being secured to apost A, but two may be used and they may be secured to any suitablesupporting means in proximity to the train tracks, as will be apparent,so that the loop previously mentioned will be in convenient reach of amember of the crew onthe train forremoving the same from the fork. vWhentwo of the d`e` vices are used, a message can be attached to each,` onemessage for a member oi the crew at the front ofthe train and the otherfor a crew member at the rear thereof. In Vany event, the. deviceincludes an attaching bracket I that is secured to the post by screws,as shown in Figure Land formed on and rising from. the horizontal po`rtion 2 of the bracket is a cross sectional square pin` tle 3 having abearing collar 4 mounted thereon, the collar being shaped-to t thepintle', so as to be held against rotation.` Mounted to turn'jon thecollar is a hub 5 that has formedA thereon and extending at right anglestherefromfor disposal horizontally, a coupling nipple rfwithin' which isfixed one end of a tubular membervl, for a purpose whichkwill belaterdescribed'.

The hub is formed with upper and lower annular anges 8 and 9respectively, andthe bearing collar is formed with a base'elementIIJ-about its lower end, upon which the hub 5 normally rests. A concaveddepression I I 'is provided in the front of the base element for ttinglyreceiving a convexed lug I2 that is formed on the lower flange 9, thelug being normally held seated in the depression by coil springs I3which are vertically disposed upon opposite sides of the hub and havetheir ends connected to the upper flange and the base elementrespectively. By that construction, it will be seen that the device isself adjustable and that the fork is normally held in position for useagainst casual movement, but will yield under lateral pressure, as wellas return to normal position when released. A pin I4 transverses theupper end of the bearing collar and extends outwardly therefrom fordisposal in the path of the hub, to limit upward movement thereof on thecollar.

The fork includes a stem I5 having secured thereto intermediate its endsa sleeve I6 of a three-Way coupling and formed with the sleeve andextending from oppositeA sides thereof in diverging relation are branchsleeves Il, each having secured therein and extending therefromrelatively long arms providing outer tines I8 for the fork. The innerend portion of the stem provides a short intermediate or central tineI9,

22 that is formed from a single strand of wire looped midway its ends toprovide spaced arcuate clamping members 23 extending along the length ofthe central tine, as well as held in bearing engagement therewith bycoiled portions 24. The clip is adapted to hold a portion of acontinuous flexible element 25 such as a cord, clamped to the centraltine and the ends of the outer tines are notched as at 26 for receivingportions of the cord, so that the latter"provides va substantiallytriangular shaped loop` to which is attached the order or message B byany suitable means such as a short length of cord 21 the message beingattached to the outer portion of the loop, as shown in Figure 1.

The tubular member 1 provides a socket for fer of the message withminimum effort on the part of the crew member.

While the cord can be attached to the fork when the latter is in appliedposition, such can be more readily accomplished when the fork isremoved. In order to facilitate the attachment, a. block 32 is providedfor supporting the fork in a perpendicular or upright position, and forthat purpose, the block has a centrally disposed bore 33 therein forreceiving the shank 20. Arecess 34 is provided in the upper ia'ce of theblock and opens into the bore for receiving the keeper pin 30,

v"so as to prevent turning of the fork relative to t theblock, as Willbeapparent. l5

the shank 20 which is detachably secured therein l by latching meansincluding a `flat spring arm 28, the arm having one end secured to thetubular member for disposal along the length of the upper face thereof,andthe tubular member has a notch 29 in its outer end for receiving akeeper pin 30, secured to the shank. VThe spring armis provided with ahole for receiving the pin, as best shown in Figure v4, thus it will beseen'that the fork is held secured to the tubular member against casualremoval or displacement. The spring arm 28 extends beyondl the `outerend of the tubular member and is bent atan upward and outward:angletherefrom to provide a. handle 3|.

'.The4 fork is held `associated with the tubular` member so that thetines are arranged one above the, other for disposal of the loop.provided by the cord ina vertical planewhich of Jcourse is the mostconvenientposition for a member of the ,train cre'wy to remove the cordfrom the fork, theA cord .being removed'merely by the crew memberslipping his arm through the loop, and while the clip 22 holds the cord`against casual removal, a slightpull thereon will release the support,and a forked frame having outer tines the same, thus bringing about asuccessful trans- It is thought from the foregoing description that Itheadvantages and novel features of the invention made in the constructionand in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, providedthat isuch changes fall within the scope of the appendedclaimg We claim:l

' In a train order delivering device of the type having a support and a'sleeve-like member on holding a message supporting, cord and a centraltine, a three way hollow coupling member having outer tines carrying theouter tines of the fork and a central partvcarrying the centraltinef'the central tineA extending through both ends of the

